Luke 7:21

In that same hour. The two messengers found Jesus amid the throngs of people somewhere in Galilee. Sufferers from various diseases were pressing through the crowd to where the Master stood or sat (see DA 216). Greeting John’s disciples courteously, no doubt, Jesus avoided answering their question and quietly went about His work of healing.

Christ’s method of answering the question posed by the two messengers, like all of His methods, is one of major importance to ministers and teachers. He might, upon this occasion, have given a good, practical theological answer, supported by numerous quotations from the prophets, but He did not do so. There was “a more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31), and one that was at the same time far more impressive and more permanent in its results. It is worthy of note that the supreme evidence Christ offered of His divinity was the perfect adaptation of His ministry to the need of suffering and lost humanity (see DA217; cf. 406, 407).

Christ did not always use the method He here employed in meeting the disciples of John. Upon a later occasion, following His resurrection, He hid His identity from the natural vision of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, in order to direct their spiritual eyesight to the fact that events connected with His death and resurrection were in fulfillment of prophecy. His practical instruction in the Scriptures provided, in this instance, the very strongest possible evidence why His followers should have faith in Him (see DA 799).

The two messengers sent by John had heard the “rumour,” or “report,” of the ministry of Jesus (vs. 17, 18); now they saw for themselves, and could no longer doubt the truth of what they had heard. Christ’s method of answering them also illustrates another important principle of teaching truth — He presented the evidence and let John’s disciples draw their own conclusions. He did not dogmatize, He did not press them to take His word for an answer and assert that anyone who said anything to the contrary was in error. Their minds were left completely free to exercise judgment in the matter on the basis of what prophecy had said the Messiah would do (see on v. 22), and what He himself was doing (v. 21).

Infirmities and plagues. See on Matt. 4:23; Mark 3:10.

Evil spirits. It is important to note that Luke the physician carefully distinguishes between those who are demon possessed and those whose affliction is limited to the physical being. This fact precludes the possibility that he confused the two, as some have asserted (see vs. 6:17, 18; 7:2; 8:27-36; Additional Note on Mark 1).

Gave. Gr. charizomai, “to do a favor,” or “to give graciously”; from charis, “grace,” or “favor” (see on ch. 1:30). When Jesus restored others to health His act was not perfunctory or mechanical; it was, rather, an expression of the sympathetic interest and feeling of His great heart of love for all men.